Ecology Services

Our particular expertise is obtaining planning permission for our clients. We recognise that no two developments are ever the same and our tailored approach to projects ensures our clients receive a personal, professional, and efficient service every time. Local planning authorities have legal obligations to take nature conservation into account when determining planning applications. This includes assessing the potential for protected species (such as bats and reptiles) as well as possible impacts on nearby sites designated for nature conservation on an international (SAC, SPA, etc), national (SSSI) or local scale (e.g. SINC). In addition to undertaking smaller schemes, we also provide ecological input for EIAs and for the master planning of large projects. 

Biodiversity Checklists and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) calculations are designed to assist applicants in providing the relevant biodiversity information with their planning application.

They include those for Nutrient Neutrality (nitrates) and European Site Avoidance & Mitigation Checklists for those applications in the Solent catchment area. In the South Downs National Park, an Ecosystem Services Statement (ESS) may need to be completed.
As part of 1APP, the National Application Form, the submission of a biodiversity survey and report should be listed in your local planning application requirements. However, if you haven’t been forewarned, it is still a requirement for validation. Applicants are strongly advised to use the relevant Local Planning Authority checklist in order to adhere to the minimum standards expected to enable registration of their application.

All Local Authorities have a legal duty to consider the conservation of biodiversity when determining a planning application. Government planning policies for biodiversity are set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Planning applications that may affect protected species or important habitats require the submission of survey and assessment information to show how the proposed development can be adapted to prevent harm.

If a proposed development could have impacts on biodiversity, and the submission of further information is indicated by the response to this checklist, supporting information must be submitted with your application. As the Biodiversity Checklist states, if any of the information submitted proves to be inadequate, the application is likely to be refused. We can help you avoid these difficult situations by completing checklists on your behalf at highly competitive rates.

An Ecological Clerk-of-Works (ECoW) may be required to carry out various tasks from an ecological watching brief to species translocations or overseeing the implementation of planning conditions and licenses. This may happen on development projects of any size where there is a likelihood of disturbance to sensitive species or habitats. We can provide on-site ecological guidance to aid development projects. We can provide one or more suitably experienced and qualified ecologists to give valuable input throughout the construction phase. Our ecologists will guide and advise on how to avoid or minimise impacts through the supervision of ecological mitigation and compensation schemes. We also have specific experience in relation to protected species such as reptiles, bats, badger and great crested newt. We can provide ecological toolbox talks, inductions and site training to ensure that ecological constraints are clearly understood by your site staff. We are familiar with working on construction sites and health and safety is also covered as our ECoW staff hold up-to-date CSCS cards and comply with strict HSE regulations in addition to any site rules.

Some of the typical duties we undertake are below:

• Watching brief as part of reptile or newt translocations
• Destructive searches of buildings e.g. as part of bat EPS licensing
• Protected species capture and relocation (including newts and reptiles)
• Vegetation clearance to avoid nesting birds
• Habitat creation and management
• Practical advice on mitigation to minimise the impact of works
• Advice and support in licensed European Protected Species projects
• Ecological auditing of conditions and licences.

Non-compliance with legislation, planning conditions or EPS licenses can result in long delays, heavy fines and even custodial sentences. An ECoW brings added value to a project, not just by avoiding delays and fines but by improving the reputation of developers and their projects through good publicity. We are able to undertake ECoW duties at short notice for long-term and short-term projects.

If a proposed development could have impacts on biodiversity, and the submission of further information is indicated by the response to this checklist, supporting information must be submitted with your application. As the Biodiversity Checklist states, if any of the information submitted proves to be inadequate, the application is likely to be refused. We can help you avoid these difficult situations by completing checklists on your behalf at highly competitive rates.